Sparmates push Ancajas to the limit in Navy facility
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales—Home the last 60 days for world boxing champion Jerwin Ancajas has been the 700hectare Navy Educational and Training Command facility that once played a vital role in the US Navy’s defense in the Asia-Pacific region.
On Tuesday, Ancajas hosted an open workout at a converted gym inside the seaside complex to show his readiness to defend the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown against Mexican jawcracker Jonathan Rodriguez on Nov. 2 in Carson, California.
“I am not taking my opponent for granted because, like me in the past, I want to win,” said Ancajas, stressing that Rodriguez loves to throw punches in bunches.
“Rodriguez is always right in front of you and you have to keep him at a distance.”
Known as Naval Station San Miguel from 1958 until 1992, NETC is pulling all stops to ensure that Navy reservist Ancajas and his team don’t only feel at home but receive everything they need.
On orders of Rear Admiral and Flag Office-in-Command Robert Empedrad, personnel from the Navy went to work to host Ancajas in coordination with Rear Admiral Loumer Bernabe and his deputy, Capt. Roy Vincent Trinidad.
According to Chief Petty Officer Mike Salvador, who serves as consultant at the National Defense and Team Ancajas, it was pretty much smooth sailing from then onwards.
Ancajas, 27, brings a 31-1-2 record with 21 KOs and is coming off a rousing seventh-round stoppage of Japanese mandatory challenger Ryuichi Funai in Stockton.
Rodriguez, 24, has a 21-1-0 with 15 KOs and will be making his US debut.